Silvia watched from the sidelines, glasses fogged, her breath shaky with relief.
Despite Kiara's absence and Ameth's shady deal, this was real—Class D's hard-won moment.
Her chest swelled, a faint smile curving her lips, pride shining in her eyes.
She glanced at Lor, a flicker of suspicion stirring, then fading as she soaked in the victory.
Kiara and Ameth were gone from Class D's celebration.
The blonde with pigtails and the redhead slumped on their benches, heads bowed, their 1 and 0 scores heavy with shame.
They slipped into the shadows, left behind by the inner circle's rise.
Class C's platform was silent.
Joren and Lila shuffled off, their slicked-back hair and ponytail limp, their 2.7 average a humiliating mark.
Their taunts had crumbled, buried by Class D's spark.
__________
The Grand Arcane Arena went dead quiet, like someone had yanked the air out of the place.
Mana vines along the stone tiers dimmed, their golden pulse faltering like a skipped heartbeat.
